Music, Niki Boyle

Scottish festivals 2013 - An A-Z of the best summer festivals

The best festivals of music, film, food, cycling and more taking place in Scotland 2013

When it comes to festivals, Scotland really doesn’t hold back. From Orkney to Byres Road, muddy fields to stately homes, the growing number of them cater to all tastes, styles and budgets. Our A-Z guide profiles Scotland’s best summer jamborees, the…

Lorraine McIntosh, actor in stage production of Let The Right One In - interview

The erstwhile Deacon Blue singer has a love for big dogs and Bruce Springsteen

First record you ever bought ‘Cavatina’ by The Shadows. Last book you read The Blind Man’s Garden by Nadeem Aslam. First film you saw that really moved you Shenandoah with Jimmy Stewart. Last lie you told ‘Oh, I can’t make that night, I’m…

Discopolis, Dems and Jonnie Common among highlights at Big Day In

Inaugural Edinburgh indoor mini-fest: Wan day, hunners o’ bands

Having successfully assembled an astounding line-up of electronic indie talent from across the UK, the initial concern for Electric Circus’s inaugural Big Day In mini-festival was getting people through the doors, especially given that the…

Biffy Clyro – SECC, Glasgow, Mon 1 Apr 2013

Simon Neil and co continue to smuggle hard rock weirdness past the arena anthems crowd

Given that Biffy’s ‘Many of Horror’ was (in)famously given the X Factor seal of approval back in 2010, it’s impressive that they continue to plough such weird and hard-rocking furrows alongside their more radio-friendly anthemic fare. Granted, the…

Interview: Edwyn Collins - 'I'm only a little famous. I move through life unmolested'

The former Orange Juice frontman talks dignity, Donovan and being drop dead gorgeous

First record you ever bought ‘Jennifer Juniper’ by Donovan. Last extravagant purchase you made A 1958 Gretsch Anniversary guitar, laden with what we in the trade call ‘case candy’. All its original tags, paperwork, polishing cloth, etc. First…

Jonnie Common, River of Slime and Shift-Static - Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh, Sat 9 Mar 2013

Mixed bag from Song, By Toad Bad Fun night

Tonight’s edition of Edinburgh indie label Song, By Toad’s BAD FUN series serves as a showcase for the world of current alt.electronica. First up, Shift-Static do a nice line in off-kilter electro-pop, melodic yet unafraid of some forays into…

Plan B, Alabama 3 and The Futureheads added to line-up for RockNess 2013

The Temper Trap, Joris Voorn, Len Faki, Carl Craig, Nic Fanciulli and more also announced

A new batch of confirmed acts for RockNess 2013 has been announced, with Plan B leading the pack as a headliner. The Temper Trap, Alabama 3, Joris Voorn, Len Faki, Carl Craig, Nic Fanciulli, Netsky Live!, The Futureheads, Mark Henning, Alex Metric, Matt…

The History of Future Folk

Charming but slight sci-fi music comedy in the vein of Flight of the Conchords

Cosmic-folk twosome Future Folk started life on the underground New York music scene, playing acoustic guitar-and-banjo tunes with sci-fi lyrics to crowds of bemused punters. The gentle whimsy and a focus on music rather than jokes puts their foot…

Spring culture preview 2013

Nick Evans: Solar Eyes Evans' forthcoming solo show features a new set of his striking amorphic white plaster sculptures. The most ambitious is a large architectural complex which mimics the geometry of an Aztec temple. Evans' fascination with motifs…

Hollywood actor John C Reilly to play intimate music show in Glasgow

The star of Wreck-It Ralph is also a roots musician

Hollywood star John C Reilly will be visiting the Glasgow's St Andrews in The Square on Tue 12 Feb to play an intimate gig, alongside fellow musicians Becky Stark and Tom Brosseau. Reilly, who is signed to Jack White's Third Man Records label, plays…

Dirty Beggars – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Wed 5 Dec 2012

The bluegrass quintet headline a varied line-up of folk/roots acts

Adam Holmes has gathered together an impressive cross-section of folk/roots musicians for the latest edition of Adam Holmes and the Embers Present... Starting off with the beautiful vocal harmonies of Jenn Butterworth & Laura Beth Salter (or Jenn and…

Dan Mangan – Oran Mor, Glasgow, Sun 25 Nov 2012

Raw, vulnerable alt.indie folk with spaced-out banter

‘I don’t think this is the most jet-lagged I’ve ever been onstage – I think this is the most jet-lagged I’ve ever been.’ There’s a hint of ragged, rough-round-the-edges-ness to Canadian indie-folkie Dan Mangan’s gig tonight, due no doubt to his…

Hot 100 2012: 19-11

David Greig, Karen Gillan and Chris Hoy among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 29-20

Chvrches, Cora Bissett and Grant Morrison among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 49-40

FOUND, Paul Brannigan and Kerry Hudson among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 59-50

Billy Connolly, Optimo and Kevin Bridges among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 69-60

Rachel Sermanni, Limmy and Peter Capaldi among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 89-80

Daniel Sloss, Canongate and Julie Fowlis among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 100-90

JK Rowling, Tilda Swinton and Andrew Fairlie among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: Not 100

They’re not hot, and there are only five of them - our pick of those who’ve not had such a good year

Donald Trump The Obama ‘birther’ conspiracist and owner of the only ego visible from space isn’t technically Scottish, but his anti-wind farm stance and opposition to a BBC screening of Anthony Baxter’s documentary You’ve Been Trumped mean he’s…

Interview: Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan

The musician returns to Glasgow off the back of recent album Oh Fortune and new EP Radicals

It's quite rare for a band to release standalone single - how did 'Radicals' come about? It was a neat opportunity - we had a couple of extra songs left over from when we made Oh Fortune, particularly one with a very long title, ‘We Want to be…

Why? - Mumps, etc.

Yoni Wolf’s hipster-friendly fourth album is inventive but lacks heart

Yoni Wolf – part-founder of indie label Anticon and band leader of alt hip hop ensemble Why? – is the very definition of a musical hipster. He sports thick-rimmed glasses and a moustache; he crams high and low-brow references cheek by jowl into his…

Why? - SWG3, Glasgow, Fri 12 Oct 2012

Enjoyable performance by the indie alt.hip hop group, despite jitters for frontman Yoni Wolf

Why? frontman Yoni Wolf seems a little uncomfortable tonight. Plagued by technical difficulties (the Walkman he uses to cue his lines has faulty batteries, so he’s having to go with front-of-stage speakers – oh, the humanity), he insecurely seeks (and…

5 Things - Masks

We select our five favourite mask wearers, including MF Doom, Daft Punk, Zorro and Rubberbandits

Phantom of the Opera An interesting choice of shape – surely it takes more effort to buy a whole mask and cut a bit out? Is your cheek that attractive?

You Are God

Bleak Polish drama about hip hop group Paktofonika

You Are God follows the career trajectory of Magik, Fokus and Rahim, aka Polish hip hop group Paktofonika. Trudging through their various dead-end existences in the bleak region of Silesia, the trio banded together to create something representative of…